State park swimming pools and beaches on Long Island will have more lifeguards and expanded hours this summer, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Friday.

The state will hire an additional 68 lifeguards this season on the Island for a total of 520, the governor said. That will allow some swimming areas to have longer hours and some to open earlier in the year, he said in a news release.

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State park swimming pools and beaches on Long Island will have more lifeguards and expanded hours this summer, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Friday.

The state will hire an additional 68 lifeguards this season on the Island for a total of 520, the governor said. That will allow some swimming areas to have longer hours and some to open earlier in the year, he said in a news release.

For example, more lifeguards will allow the opening of the Field 4 beachfront at Robert Moses this weekend as well as Zach's Bay at Jones Beach State Park, Cuomo said. In previous years these swimming areas did not open until mid-June, he said.

"Expanded hours at our Long Island state parks and beaches will mean more time for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy this summer," Cuomo said.

Rose Harvey, commissioner of the state Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, said she was "pleased that Governor Cuomo has provided the resources for this expanded coverage."

For a list of state parks and hours of operation visit nysparks.com.

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